Clothesline Project -- airing dirty laundry, ending secrets

Nice job, sad subject, but a nice "rough cut".

never thought such powerful poetry could be found on a clothesline.

yes it's sad but somehow empowering at the same time and this short film captures it all almost like the laundry it profiles.

Thanks Julie, more people with vision, it's inspiring as an example of facing the wrongs we make and making them right...however, facing our wrongs, doesn't make them right...

For the victims, may they find a way to heal...for the others...may they find a way to stop stealing innocence...

so so so sad

Heartbreaking.

But very nicely produced. The pacing and music are just right. I hope current puts this on tv so more people can see it.

Nice job, good subject matter.
It would be nice to hear some more from the survivors, their stories, their thoughts. I think this short video can be used as a base for a very emotional and powerful documentary.

Julie, heather_hunter, Spiral9- Well done! I agree with krag2112. The pace and music were perfect and really helped to capture the essence of this very tragic and deeply human subject. It really reminded me of the PostSecret project (people anonymously mailing in their secrets on homemade postcards).

Thanks for the link Julie. Very good video. Everything came together perfectly to convey the emotional response a person would have if they actually visited the project.

Julie, I loved this pod. I agree with merasyad that it would be nice to hear more from the survivors, but it was nevertheless moving and emotional. Just as moving as the stories from those abused, was seeing the faces of students as they read these shirts. Great job.

I saw this event last year. I hope people who have been victimized will be motivated to speak out. They obviously will never forget what happened to them but hopefully by talking with somebody they will begin to cope and move on. I think the clothesline project will motivate such individuals to seek someone to talk to that in turn will hopefully help them understand that it wasn't their fault.

I ached while watching. Powerful.

I really like the project. It's all about the survivors, the emotional impact, the physical impact in such an understated way that makes it all the more powerful.

I really like the fact that it isn't a piece condemning people, focusing on the perpetrator, but on the often hidden, underlying emotions.

This is no doubt therapeutic for those victims. Good job.

I wasn't able to read the first couple of tee shirts. I personally like the music to carry the emotion - and what you did for audio was awesome, I'd just let the song run on after to allow it to carry us, at least that's what I would do if it was my project.

I really like what you've done! Very nice.

i thought this was beautifully done and very poignant. great slow pace perfect for subject

This is a tear jerker if only because of my own experience. Thanks for this piece.

really like the subject matter. I think a lot more can be done with this. I think you could flesh it out into a longer doc, especially if you come back for a few years and see the changes over time.

Hey Julie. You asked for feedback, so I will deliver. Keep in mind I'm no expert though. First off, I loved the video - I love learning about these efforts to make the world a better place. Wonderful vids like this never get on the news because they don't involve drunk celebrities, etc. This is definitely the type of thing I turn to Current for!

Some critiques: I would start with titles and end with credits - I wanted to know what I was watching and who made it. Also maybe a title under the people speaking (they appear to be organizers, based on their shirts, but who are they? for what group? if they choose not to be listed because they want their work to stand out, I'd mention that.) Also, I'd end with info on what one can do to help, volunteer, support financially, join a mailing or e-mail list, etc.

Some raves: the shots of people looking at the shirts, silently biting their lips, etc. were fantastic. The extreme soft background soundtrack was a wise choice, too.

If I was your prof, I'd give you a B+ for some missed opportunities and little lack of polish, but a huge compliment that you are clearly skilled and destined for greater things.

All the best! Like I said, this is just the type of story that Current TV should focus on.

Thank you...Julie...Heather...Spiral9....every major spiritual leader on Earth at one time said.......If it happens to any....it happens to all.........Golden Rule.....I really can't see how that could be as hard to grasp as it seems.....once you become aware....you must try with all your being to stop the destruction.......of lifes...spirit.......self esteem......Love...Kindness....Thanks again for making people aware......the camera is such a force...............Golden Ruler.....Will......Will...Not....Will...Not

There is so much lack of education and Love on this part of human development that many times makes us mute in relation to it.

Almost everything in Life depends of the way you were initiated at first. A forced and violent initiation can scar a person for their entire lives. The reality is that we live in an agnostic sexual repressive society and repression boils down to this type of behavior from humans towards other humans.

Having support, education and more education and subsidize access to it would probably minimize the suffering in some cases. Make sure you share your case with the right individual or group as picking up a wrong person can even aggravate your situation. I am praying for all those that were negatively affected during their lives that they will take these hard moments and transform it in something positive for themselves.

"We can not change what happened in the past but we can make the Present and Future Better and by doing this we will somehow change our Past!"

I am glad an outlet like this has been provided to victims since speaking out loud about these crimes (something I encourage but have found is hard to do) is sometimes more difficult than suppressing the feelings associated with the trauma.

I believe the stigma, lack of understanding, and sometimes the anger associated with these crimes perpetuate the problem and make it more prevalent. We need to have an open dialogue about these issues and couple that with a discourse that remains free of ignorance, stigmas, and hatred.

We cannot continue to treat these acts as isolated incidents committed by "evil people". We need to have open minds and rid ourselves of the accepted notions associated with these crimes. This has to be done for both the victims and the offenders. Treating the problem by locking these individuals (offenders) up and throwing away the key isn't working, and it won't work. We need to be willing to accept that sometimes individuals can be driven and more likely to commit these crimes due to their circumstances or mental health and predisposition, instead of acting as though they were possessed by some evil force they will never be able to rid themselves of.

I am in no way making excuses for anyone, simply speaking from a point of view that doesn't see an end to these crimes as long as we continue to be ignorant and driven by stigmas, lack of understaning, and nontreament of both victims and offenders.

These crimes are not trends, they don't depend on how severe or not severe the punishment is, and they don't end when we rid ourselves of the ones (offenders) that get turned in.

This is really great, guys. Gave me goosebumps. That first opening line 'i'm shocked by this one...' was really chilling...

That's powerful stuff. I don't know how anybody could vote against that being aired.

This problem is the dirtiest secret American families are still hiding.

It's thought provoking, sad, empowering...and with so little talking -- that's not easy to pull off but you did it. This is a wonderful project to bring attention to and get people talking about. Congrats on another job really well done!

Intense to say the least. Healing for those who participated in this. Eye Opening to those who saw them.

Well done and touching. Great music to match the mood. Thanks for sharing and may sustained peace come to all that laundered and displayed their horrible experiences. Many prayers...and blessings

Hope this makes TV, people never seem to at least hear about this often enough. Well, this got my vote.

Wow. Very moving. I agree with the comments about the great editing and how appropriate the slow pace was.... I also agree with LarzNero who mentioned some small additions that could add polish. Like subtitles that are the name of the group and how to find more information. One grumble: I didn't like the full frame shot of one guys face (he was blond) looking up (supposedly at the line). It felt very "posed" and brought me right up out of the power of the story. Maybe because there was nothing else in the frame -- just his face, while for most of the others, you could see a bit of what they were looking at.....

But, other than that: great job! I think this definitely should go on current tv.

Thanks alot for that pointer jenmoocat! I did'nt notice that one bad shoot until you said it! You just ruined it! :)

seeing this on poorly lit laptop screen, moved me.

seeing it in person, would make me cry.

my heart goes out to all the survivors.

Julie,
You are most talented with a keen eye on the truth...
Continue your mission unabridged...

Thanks everyone for their insightful and supportive comments on our piece.

You know, as a filmmaker who mostly sits alone in front of a computer screen with occasional bouts behind the camera, I especially need the feedback of the audience. You have given it to me! It's an essential part of an artist's process to perceive the impact of her work. It's vital.

Thanks to all and to Current.com for giving us this forum.

WOW. very sensitively done and with beautiful respect. Very moving! Julie, I would guess you find your voice very well in those moments alone with the material. This is well crafted on many levels.

Deep. Sad. Moving.

A step forward for people that need to release this bottled up pain before self-destructing.

It takes a lot of strenght to do this for most victims.

Strength can come in many forms.

Great work. I was impressed with how you shot it, really shoing the story, and letting the media speak for itself. Someone commented earlier about the limited dialogue. I agree completely no need to add any.

Regarding missed opportunities.... none, not in this short form. I'd love to see this researched as a feature documentary.

Great work.

Hi Julie, feedback as requested... apologies for the delay.

Such a sad subject but very nice pod. Thank you for putting this out there. It looks beautiful, love the music selection and the ambient street noise. I'm intrigued by the juxtaposition of such a sad issue shot on a sunny day with what appear to be joyful colors strew across the sky. I would like to imagine that is an indication of healing.

I did find myself wanting to be able to read the shirts more clearly, to hear each story. It is particularly powerful when the man at the beginning reads one of the shirts aloud, though I like the lack of speaking throughout as well. The quiet brings an air of reflection that is very nice.

I agree with another reviewers comment that it would be nice to include some sort of call to action for people that want to get involved to help stop these crimes. Is this a UCLA only event? Maybe you can help spread it to other campuses or organizations nationwide...?

Great job, keep up the good work!

I've just seen it twice in a row. Beautiful and moving.

Whatever gets you through the night, the next day or even the next hour. My sympathy goes out to all those represented here, as well as those who should be, but are not. Your bravery should not pass unacknowledged or the opportunity to heal such horrific scars.

The sooner we all begin to right the world’s wrongs and heal deep painful wounds, such as those represented here, I truly believe that a brighter future is possible for man(un)kind & the world. Why can’t we live in a world devoid of man’s inhumanity against man, woman & child if it takes just as much energy to do what’s right & proper instead of what’s wrong & repulsive?

deep, reflective piece. it's hard to get people who cry to appear on camera. i think their willingness to be so open with you and the camera in your hand must have a lot to do with the way you, as a person and not a journalist, approached them.

very nice job.